Local News

Unlike the federal government, the Commonwealth of Virginia must have a balanced budget. Due to falling tax revenue, Gov. Tim Kaine used his executive authority to cut state spending to keep things in balance. Locally, Bedford Ride lost $7,600 in state funding.

“Obviously, it’s not making it any easier,” said Ira Doom, Bedford Ride’s director.

Some students from Liberty University recently helped teach students at Big Island Elementary School good health and hygiene practices.

Students worked through six stations set up by the LU guests, learning about topics such as body odor, bad breath and spit and saliva. This is the third year Liberty U physical education and health students have held the Health Fair at the school.

Several area schools had students, faculty and administrators take it upon themselves to support the Passionately Pink for the Cure project held in October by raising funds and awareness with the hopes of ending breast cancer.

The Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour passed out checks for $15,000 to eight charities last week.

The money was raised during the annual home tour held over three days in early October. People purchased $25 tickets to tour the interiors of elegant lake area houses volunteered by their owners. Eight houses were on this year’s tour.

According to Marty Bowers, chairman of the home tour’s board, 1,800 people purchased tickets.

At one time, the Bedford County property that now is home to Emerson Creek Pottery was a 500-acre land grant from the King of England.

Now that property serves as the creation and distribution spot for Emerson Creek's growing nationally recognized pottery business.

Since 1977 Emerson Creek Pottery has been offering to its customers the American heritage of handmade, hand painted pottery. The business was recently recognized by the U.S. Local Business Association for its work.

After being announced as an evening Christmas parade for this year, Bedford's parade on Dec. 6 will, as usual, take place in the morning.

The parade has begun for a number of years at 11 a.m., but Bedford Main Street decided last summer to change the parade's time to 7 p.m. Main Street handles the parade and other downtown Christmas festivities.